Northrop Grumman has announced the first deployment of the company's STARLite radar on a U.S. Army Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS), an aerostat surveillance platform uniquely positioned to aid in the defense of ground troops.

"STARLite is protecting our warfighters and allies 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said John Jadik, vice president of weapons and sensors for Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division.

"As long as our troops and coalition allies are deployed, STARLite will stay deployed with them, providing top cover day and night and in all weather conditions."

Deployed as a Quick Reaction Capability, STARLite is currently providing persistent, 360-degree forward operating base situational awareness and security to troops and coalition forces currently in-theatre.

Currently in limited-rate production, Northrop Grumman's STARLite is a small, lightweight, fully qualified synthetic aperture radar/moving target indicator (SAR/MTI) sensor system used for supporting tactical operations.

By providing precise battlefield intelligence in all types of weather and through battlefield obscurants, day and night, STARLite significantly improves battlefield situational awareness and optimizes force maneuver and engagement for mission success.

Each STARLite radar comes equipped with a complete software package that enables easy operator control of all radar functions.

STARLite leverages Northrop Grumman's experience from the development of the proven Tactical Endurance Synthetic Aperture Radar and the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Radar.